HAEMUS

Setttlements, culture andpopulation dynamics in Balkan prehistory

International conferenceSkopje, Macedonia

13-14.03.2015

ABSTRACTS OF THE ORAL ANDPOSTER PRESENTATIONS

1Settlements, Culture andPopulation Dynamics in Balkan Prehistory

International ConferenceSkopje, Republic of Macedonia

13-14.03.2015

Organized byHAEMUS

Center for Scientific Research and Promotion of Culture

In cooperation with City Museum of Skopje

And supported by Open Educational Resources in The Republic of Macedonia

New Media partner - EXARC

2HAEMUSCenter for Scientific Research and Promotion of Culture

http://haemus.org.mk

Settlements, Culture and Population Dynamics in Balkan PrehistoryInternational Conference

13-14.03.2015 Skopje, Republic of Macedonia

ABSTRACTS OF THE ORAL AND POSTER PRESENTATIONS

General EditorVasilka Dimitrovska

Cover DesignVasilka Dimitrovska, Elka Anastasova

DesignElka Anastasova

Editing and English proofreadingMark Branov

PrintingPolyesterday - Digital Image Solution

Copies100

2015 HAEMUSCenter for Scientific Research and Promotion of Culture

CIP - . ,

903.4(497)(062)316.7(497)(062)

INTERNATIONAL conference (2015 ; Skopje) Settlements, culture and population dynamics in Balkan prehistory/ International conference Skopje, Macedonia 12-14.03.2015. - Skopje: Center for scientific research and promotion of culture - HAEMUS, 2015. - 53, [5] . : . ; 24

ISBN 978-608-65538-1-4

) - - ) - - COBISS.MK-ID 98162442

3CONTENTS

Message of the Scientific Committee..........................................................................................5

Message of HAEMUS Director...................................................................................................6

About HAEMUS.........................................................................................................................7

About Open Educational Resources in the Republic of Macedonia...........................................8

Timetable for Sessions.................................................................................................................9

Sessions......................................................................................................................................17

Special Exhibits and Events.......................................................................................................37

List of Participants.....................................................................................................................48

4SCIENTIFIC & ORGANIZING COMMITTEE

Organizing Committee

Vasilka DIMITROVSKA HAEMUS - Center for Scientific Research and Promotion of Culture, Skopje

Marina SPIROVA HAEMUS - Center for Scientific Research and Promotion of Culture, Skopje

Valentina TODOROVSKA HAEMUS - Center for Scientific Research and Promotion of Culture, Skopje, Archaeological Museum of Macedonia, Skopje

Elka ANASTASOVA National Institute of Archaeology with Museum, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia

Tamara RESAVSKA Open Access and Open Education Resources for the Republic of Macedonia, Metamorphosis Foundation, Skopje

Scientific Committee

Eszter BANFFYGerman Archaeological Institute, Romano-Germanic Commission, Frankfurt

Mehmet ZDOANIstanbul University, Faculty of Archaeology, Department of Prehistory, stanbul

Clive BONSALL School of History, Classics & Archaeology, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh

Maria GUROVA National Institute of Archaeology with Museum, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia

Drago GHEORGHIU Doctoral School, National University of Arts, Bucharest

Dimitrij MLEKU Faculty of Philosophy, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana

Jacqueline BALEN Archaeological Museum in Zagreb, Zagreb

Ina MILOGLAV Department of Archaeology, University of Zagreb, Zagreb

Nikos CHAUSIDIS Department of Archaeology, University of Ss. Cyril and Methodius, Skopje

Dragana ANTONOVI Institute of Archaeology, Serbian Academy of Arts and Sciences, Belgrade

Selena VITEZOVI Institute of Archaeology, Serbian Academy of Arts and Sciences, Belgrade

Natasa MILADINOVI RADMILOVI Institute of Archaeology, Serbian Academy of Arts and Sciences, Belgrade

5MESSAGE OF THE SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE

On behalf of the International Scientific Committee, I salute the International Conference in Skopje, Republic of Macedonia, organized by HAEMUS - Centre for Scientific Research and Promotion of Culture; not only is it a significant scientific event in the Balkans, but also a significant meeting of European scholars focused on the continental past. At the same time, I wish to thank the HAEMUS - CSRPC for the honor of asking me to author this foreword address on the behalf of the International Scientific Committee.

The 2015 Conference in Skopje is important for two reasons. The first is the significance of the theme, which brings together some foundational subjects of the archaeological research in Balkan prehistory -- settlements, culture, and population dynamics -- into a creative synthesis that stimulates the archaeological imagination. This complex subject deserves novel approaches from the fields of archaeology and anthropology, and the papers that we received support this expectation.

The second reason is the extensive involvement of archaeologists from different European countries, working on Balkan prehistory. The diversity of the subjects approached, as well as the excellence of the papers offered, illustrates the quality response provided to the conference and its theme.

The Conference on Settlements, Culture and Population Dynamics in Balkan Prehistory sets up the necessary basis for a better understanding of both Macedonian and Balkan prehistory, for better inter-Balkan collaboration, as well as for improved collaboration with the rest of Europe. These aims are apparent from the structure of the International Scientific Committee, which gathers scholars from diverse countries and archaeological disciplines, from a large number of European scholars, and also, from the various collaborative papers submitted.

In the name of the members of the Committee, I would like to express our admiration for the organizers of this scholarly event, the members of the HAEMUS - Centre for Scientific Research and Promotion of Culture, whose diverse and valuable cultural activity deserves our appreciation.

With this conference, the HAEMUS-CSRPC becomes a visible presence on the archaeological map of Europe and I wish the team a warm na zdravje!

Professor Dragos GheorghiuDoctoral SchoolNational University of Arts in Bucharest

19.02.2015, Bucharest

6MESSAGE OF HAEMUS DIRECTOR

The prehistoric period in the Balkans attracts attention to the questions about the spatial and temporal boundaries between ancient societies, which reveal the common patterns of interweaving cultures. In that manner, the conference theme Settlements, Culture and Population Dynamics in Balkan prehistory was designed to encourage and inspire different ways of thinking about the prehistory of the Balkan Peninsula. With experts from across the Balkans and beyond, discussing the latest achievements in the field of archeology, the Conference has surpassed all expectations. With 100 scholars from 20 countries, this event is the largest archaeological conference ever held in the Republic of Macedonia.

In the Balkans today, archaeologists strive to solve the puzzle of what the ideas and technical achievements of our ancestors were, from the study of Paleolithic hunter-gatherer societies, to the re-examination of paradigms about Mesolithic presence and Neolithization; from the study of population migration in the Eneolithic and Bronze Ages, to the study of cultural interaction in the Iron Age. The conference will provide methodological, theoretical and experimental frameworks for interpreting the archaeological record, as well as provide artifact analyses and related disciplines. It will also rethink the inter-disciplinary approaches to our common past, creating a foundation for the future progress of Balkan prehistoric archaeology.

The prehistory of the Republic of Macedonia shares much with that of neighboring countries. The presence of only one discovered Paleolithic site and the absence of Mesolithic sites is juxtaposed against more than 200 discovered Neolithic sites, making the Old Stone Age one of the most explored periods. The newly discovered Eneolithic sanctuaries are shedding light on the mysteries and cult practices of spiritual life, with the Bronze Age observatory at Kokino becoming the most explored media topic of the last decade. The famous Paeonian priestess of the Iron Age also provides a new interpretation of the so-called Macedonian bronzes. Built on a dozen archaeological sites from the Neolithic period, it turns out that Skopje, the city of the Mother Goddesses, was the perfect location for an event such as this.

The HAEMUS Board is grateful to the members of the Organizing and Scientific Committees for their help over one year of preparation for the Conference, which would not have been possible without assistance from the City Museum of Skopje, the Alliance for the Open Educational Resources in the Republic of Macedonia, EXARC, and numerous colleagues and sponsors, who gave us their wholehearted support.

Vasilka Dimitrovska, M.Sci.Director of HAEMUSCenter for Scientific Research and Promotion of Culture, Skopje

15.02.2014, Skopje

7ABOUT HAEMUS

HAEMUS strives to promote scientific research and culture on the Balkan Peninsula, offering a wide range cultural heritage services. These fall into several categories, including: research, cultural resource management, publication, education, promotion and tourism.

The main and primary goal of HAEMUS is scientific and scholarly research in the fields of archaeology, history, culture and art. Particular attention is paid to the dissemination of the cultural heritage of Macedonia and the Balkans through publication of expert and popular books, brochures, ancillary works, catalogues and maps. The aim is to introduce archaeology, history and common culture to the professional and public media in an accurate and truthful manner.

We also provide advice and assistance in the creation of audio-visual materials, such as audio-guides, documentaries, videos and other promotional material related to cultural heritage. We arrange different types of educational activities, such as lectures, workshops, seminars or conferences.

In addition, we manage the official UNESCO Club HAEMUS, including educational tours and public lectures under the motto of Open Educational Resources, in accordance with the policies of UNESCO for OER. The main aim is open access to knowledge, especially on the Internet.

Finally, the organization publishes the HAEMUS Journal annually, a peer-reviewed, open access, academic e-journal for the history and archaeology of the Balkan Peninsula (ISSN 1857- 8411). The aim of the journal -- based on the principles of OER and Creative Commons licenses -- is to present the latest developments in the historiography and archaeological research of the Balkans, both in terms of methodology and content. The journal is based on purely academic research, with an editorial board consisting of scholars from highly prestigious international institutions.

HAEMUS -- Center for Scientific Research and Promotion of Culture Bul. Jane Sandanski 109/1/37, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia Phone: +389(0) 77 524 987e-mail: contact@haemus.org.mk; web: http://haemus.org.mk

haemus.org.mk HaemusOrg HAEMUSMK

8ABOUT OPEN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES IN THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA

The Initiative for Open Educational Resources aims to raise the awareness and enhance the capacity of the academic community for the creation and use of Open Educational Resources in the Republic of Macedonia.

Open Educational Resources are free educational tools and contents. These can be used for educational and research purposes without any compensation. In addition, OER are free for distribution, in accordance with specific proprietary rights that allow free distribution and re-production of these resources and materials.

In todays modern context and the Internet age that we are living in, OER stands for educational tools that are easily accessible online and are free to use.

Metamorphosis (www.metamorphosis.org.mk) created the www.oer.mk website, providing important information about OER. The website includes a resource center where users can share and download content.

The Alliance for OER in Macedonia was created in 2013, and in October of that year, the Alliance published a Declaration for Open Educational Resources in Macedonia, aiming to mobilize wide support for the improvement of open education, enabling the promotion of the concept of open education, and contributing to a higher quality education system. The Decla-ration for OER in Macedonia is based on UNESCOs 2012 Paris OER Declaration. In early February 2015, the Declaration was signed by more than 370 individuals and 18 organizations and institutions.

Please visit: www.oer.mk

Take a tour through the resource center: http://oer.mk/resources

Share a resource: http://oer.mk/registration

Sign the Declaration for OER: http://oer.mk/sign/index.php/pages/signup

Contact us: contact@oer.mk

9TIMETABLE

Settlements, Culture andPopulation Dynamics in Balkan Prehistory

13-14 March 2015

13.03.2015

09:00-15:00 - REGISTRATION OF PARTICIPANTS09:30-10:00 - OPENING CEREMONY10:00-10:15 - Coffee Break

SESSION 1Chair: Clive Bonsall 10:15-11:15

10:15-10:30 Catherine Commenge (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - CNRS, Paris) Technical Systems and the Social Dynamics of the Transmission of the Neolithic package in the South-western Balkans: Some Evidence from Tumba Madzhari, Republic of Macedonia

10:30-10:45 Goce Naumov (Euro Balkan University, Skopje) Of Miniatures and Hybrids: The Neolithic Figurines and Anthropomorphic House Models in the Republic of Macedonia

10:45-11:00 Zlata Blazeska (Department of archaeology, University of Skopje, Skopje)Jasemin Nazim (Museum of Macedonia, Skopje) The Textile Impressions from Neolithic Settlements from Prilep, Republic of Macedonia

11:00-11:15 Marcel Otte (University of Lige, Lige) The Balkans Neolithic Traditions, Nowadays in the Country

11:15-11:25 Discussion

SESSION 2Chair: Maria Gurova11:30-12:15

11:30-11:45 Nikola Vukosavljevi (Department of Archaeology, University of Zagreb, Zagreb), Zlatko Perho (Institute of Earth Sciences, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg), Ivor Karavani (Department of Archaeology, University of Zagreb, Zagreb); Stones, Shell Beads and Hunter-gatherers Mobility During Late Upper Palaeolithic and Mesolithic - Zala Cave Case Study11:45-12:00 Clive Bonsall (University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh)Foragerfarmer Interactions? The Iron Gates from 6300 to 5900 cal BC

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12:00-12:15 Janusz K. Kozowski (Institute of Archaeology, Jagiellonian University, Krakw), Magorzata Kaczanowska (Archaeological Museum, Krakw)Before the Neolithization: Causes of Mesolithic Diversity in the Southern Balkans

12:15-12:25 Discussion12:25-12:45 Coffee Break

SESSION 3Chair: Goce Naumov12:45-13:45

12:45-13:00 Miroslav Razum (Istanbul University, Istanbul)Balkans in the Second Half of the 6th Millennium BC and it Connections to Anatolia - a Look from the East

13:00-13:15 Beatrijs de Groot (Institute of Archaeology, University College London, London)Social Interactions as Mechanisms for Change; Ceramic Production and Style in Neolithic Anatolia and the Balkans

13:15-13:30 Ana urii (Department of archaeology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade)Shelter vs. Home: Different Perceptions of a House in the Neolithic of the Central Balkans

13:30-13:35 Iharka Szucs-Csillik (Institute of Astronomy, Romanian Academy, Cluj-Napoca), Alexandra Comsa (Institute of Archaeology, Bucharest)A Brief Overview of Astronomys Place in Romanian Neolithic Research (short video presentation)

13:35-13:45 Discussion13:45-15:15 Lunch break

SESSION 4Chair: Dragana Antonovic15:15-16:15

15:15-15:30 Maria Gurova (National Institute of Archaeology and Museum, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia)Neolithic Flint Supply Systems: Geological, Technological and Social Aspects

15:30-15:45 Lilian Dogiama (McMaster University, Hamilton)Casting A Wide Network: The Early Neolithic Chipped Stone From Revenia, Pieria

15:45-16:00 Sonja Kacar (University of Toulouse 2- Jean Jaures, Toulouse / University of Zagreb, Zagreb)Lithic Production Strategies of Early Neolithic Communities in Northern Dalmatia

16:00-16:15 Vasilka Dimitrovska (HAEMUS - center for scientific research and promotion of culture, Skopje)Lithic Raw Material Procurement and Consumption during Neolithic/Eneolithic/Bronze Age: The Case of Cocev Kamen (Kratovo, Republic of Macedonia)

16:15-16:25 Discussion16:25-16:45 Coffee Break

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SESSION 5Chair: Silvia Amicone16:45-17:45

16:45-17:00 Neda Mirkovi-Mari (National Museum Kikinda, Kikinda), Miroslav Mari (Institute for Balkan studies SASA, Belgrade), Lidija Milainovi (National Museum Kikinda, Kikinda), Barry Molloy (University College Dublin, Dublin), Dragan Jovanovi (City Museum Vrac, Vrac)The Gradite in Io Site in the Light of Revisionary Archaeological Research

17:00-17:15 Katalin Sebk (Institute of Archaeological Sciences, Etvs Lornd University, Budapest)Pride and Prefiguration: Roles of Decorated Pottery in the Neolithic of the Carpathian Basin

17:15-17:30 Ivan Suvandzhiev (University of Veliko Turnovo, Veliko Turnovo)Incised Signs on Ceramics from North Central Bulgaria

17:30-17:45 Todor Valchev (Regional historical museum, Yambol)Anthropomorphic Plastic Art from the Settlement Mound Yasa Tepe near the Village of Kabile, Yambol Municipality, Bulgaria

17:45-17:55 Discussion

18:00 Poster SessionOpening speech: Nevenka Atanasoska and Jakim Donevski

Rachael Marnie (University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh), Pawe Wjcicki (Institute of Archeology and Ethnology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Warszawa)The Late Paleolithic, the Epipaleolithic and the Mesolithic Areas in Europe - According to the Adaptations Theoretical Approach

Nikola Vukosavljevi (Department of Archaeology, University of Zagreb, Zagreb), Ivor Karavani (Department of Archaeology, University of Zagreb, Zagreb), Rajna oi Klindi (Department of Archaeology, Zagreb), Kruno Zubi (Croatian Conservation Institute, Zagreb), Natalija ondi (Archaeological Museum Zadar, Zadar), James C.M. Ahern (Department of Anthropology, University of Wyoming, Laramie)Late Mousterian in Dalmatia - Some Recent Data

Dario Vujevi (Department of Archaeology, University of Zadar, Zadar), Mate Parica (Department of Archaeology, University of Zadar, Zadar), Vlakno Cave - Upper Palaeolithic and Early Mesolithic Site on Dugi otok (Croatia)

Tanya Dzhanfezova (St. Cyril and St Methodius University, Veliko Turnovo), Chris Doherty (Oxford University, Oxford), Nedko Elenski (Regional Historical Museum, Veliko Turnovo)New insights on the Early Neolithic pottery from Dzhulyunitsa (North Bulgaria)

Todor Valchev (Regional historical museum, Yambol)The Horn Sickle from the Prehistoric Settlement Mound Yasa Tepe near the Village of Kabile, Yambol Municipality, Bulgaria

Selena Vitezovi (Institute of Archaeology, Belgrade)Used Astragals from Pavlovac-Kovake Njive

Nataa Miladinovi-Radmilovi (Institute of Archaeology, Belgrade)Anthropological Analysis of the Remains of Cremated Burials

Tzvetana Popova (National Institute of Archeology and Museum of the Bulgarian Academy of Science, Sofia) Subsistence Economy in the Territory of Bulgaria during Neo-Chalcolithic Period

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Snjeana Karavani (Institute of Archaeology, Zagreb), Andreja Kudeli (Institute of Archaeology, Zagreb)Depositional Process of the Bronze Age House

Florin Ridiche (Museum of Oltenia, Craiova), Lucian Popescu-Vava (Museum of Oltenia, Craiova), Ceaciru Cristian (Museum of Oltenia, Craiova) Bronze Age and Late Iron Age (Latne) Cremation Graves from Desa (Dolj county, Romania)

Nikos Chausidis (Department of archaeology, University of Skopje, Skopje)The Iconography, Symbolism and Religious Use of Iron Age Cluster Pendants as Part of the Group of Macedonian Bronzes

Martina elhar (Department of Archaeology, University of Zadar, Zadar), Mato Ilki (Department of Archaeology, University of Zadar, Zadar), Mate Parica (Department of Archaeology, University of Zadar, Zadar), Dario Vujevi (Department of Archaeology, University of Zadar, Zadar)Riul - prehistoric underwater site in northern Dalmatia (Croatia)

Valentina Todoroska (HAEMUS - Center for Scientific Research and Promotion of Culture, Skopje/Archaeological Museum of Macedonia, Skopje)Pile-dwelling Prehistoric Tool Kit for Surviving

Sabina Veseli (Institute of Archaeology, Department of Antiquity, Center of Albanian Studies, Tirana)Archaic Finds in the Iron Age Cemetery of Borova (Kolonja South East Albania)

Milan Hork (Via Magna s.r.o., Martin), Jn Zachar (Via Magna s.r.o., Martin), Seta tuhec (Via Magna s.r.o., Martin)3D Documentation of the Archaeological Park Brazda

Alexandra Comsa (Institute of Archaeology, Bucharest)The dwellings and settlements as elements of paleodemographic study

Lidija Kovacheva (Euro Balkan University, Skopje)Artistic Expression Through Postage Stamps

14.03.2015

SESSION 609:00-10:15Chair: Ina Miloglav

09:00-09:15 Silvia Amicone (Institute of Archaeology, University College London, London), Patrick Quinn (Institute of Archaeology, University College London, London), Miljana Radivojevi (Institute of Archaeology, University College London, London), Thilo Rehren (UCL Qatar, Hamad bin Khalifa University, Doha)Technological Advancements in Pottery Production at the Dawn of the Metal Age:Case Studies from Plonik and Belovode

09:15-09:30 Marijana Krmpoti (Croatian Conservation Institute, Zagreb)Importance of the Area of Eastern Croatia in Communication Network at the End of the Early Bronze Age

09:30-09:45 Tihomir Percan (Croatian Conservation Institute, Zagreb), Ivica Pletina (Croatian Conservation Institute, Zagreb)Bronze Age Apatite Pendant from Ljubi Cave (Istria)

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09:45-10:00 Daniel Costache-Bolocan (Buzau County Museum, Buzau)Bronze Age Landscape in South-Eastern Romania. Considerations Regarding Spatial Distribution of the Monteoru Settlements in Subcharpathian Area, near Buzu River Valley

10:00-10:15 Marta Rakvin (Department of Archaeology, University of Zagreb, Zagreb)The Moslavina Region during the Late Bronze and the Early Iron Age

10:15-10:30 Discussion10:30:10:50 Coffees break

SESSION 710:50-11:35Chair: Jacqueline Balen

10:50-11:05 Marina Spirova (HAEMUS - Center for scientific research and promotion of culture)The Eneolithic Sanctuary at Spanchevo: Landscape, Cult Practices and Aspects of the Spiritual Life

11:05-11:20 Dumitru Boghian (Faculty of History and Geography, University of Suceava, Suceava), Enea Sergiu-Constantin (Ion Neculce Highschool, Trgu Frumos)Elements of Landscape Archaeology in the Cucutenian-Site Areas from Costeti-Cier and Giurgeti-Dealul Mnstirii, Iai County, Romania

11:20-11:35 Andreja Kudeli (Institute of Archaeology, Zagreb), Lujana Paraman (Trogir Town Museum, Trogir), Filomena Sirovica (Archaeological Museum in Zagreb, Zagreb)Indications of Prehistoric Settlement Design in Archaeological Record

11:35-11:45 Discussion

SESSION 811:45-12:30Chair: Marina Spirova

11:45-12:00 Roxana Munteanu (Buzau County Museum, Buzau)The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. Technological, stylistic and morphological features of Cucuteni C pottery debated

12:00-12:15 Lea ataj (Croatian Conservation Institute, Zagreb)Crkvie-Bukovlje, new Eneolithic site in central Croatia

12:15-12:30 Maja Kuzmanovic (Department of Archaeology, University of Zagreb, Zagreb)The Neolithic and Eneolithic Settlement Medvoe-Glogovica in the Context of Prehistoric Trade and Exchange Networks

12:30-12:40 Discussion

SESSION 912:40-13:40Chair: Ivan Suvandzhiev

12:40-12:55 Alexandra Anders (Institute of Archaeological Sciences, Etvs Lornd University, Budapest), Gbor Kalla (Institute of Archaeological Sciences, Etvs Lornd University, Budapest)New Possibilities for the Interpretation of the So-called Sanctuaries in the Neolithic

12:55-13:10 Zrinka Premui (Institute for Anthropological Research, Zagreb)Unusual Cremation Burials from the Late Bronze Age Site of Poljana Krievaka, Croatia: Anthropological Perspective

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13:10-13:25 Petya Georgieva (Department of archaeology, University of Sofia, Sofia), Veselin Danov (Department of archaeology, University of Sofia, Sofia)On Some Aspects of Eneolithic Burial Rituals

13:25-13:40 Sineva Kuko (Departement of Archaeology, University of Zadar, Zadar), Martina elhar (Departement of Archaeology, University of Zadar, Zadar)Funerary Architecture in the Liburnian Culture: Construction form - function/symbolics

13:40-13:50 Discussion13:50-15:15 Lunch break

SESSION 1015:15-16:45Chair: Milica Tapaviki-Ili

15:15-15:30 Tomasz Gralak (Institute of Archaeology, University of Wroclaw, Wroclaw)From Greece Through the Balkans to Central Europe - Wandering of Ideas in the Early Iron Age

15:30-15:45 Vlad Crbii (Institute of Archaeology, Bucharest)Considerations On the Second Iron Age Habitation Between the Middle Carpathians, the Danube and the Olt River (4th century BC - 1st century AD).

15:45-16:00 Milica Tapaviki-Ili (Archaeological Institute, Belgrade), Ljubia Vasiljevi (National Museum of Krusevac, Krusevac), Sanja Ruti (National Museum of Krusevac, Krusevac)Iron Age Pottery from Ukosa, Kruevac District

16:00-16:15 Ivan Vrani (Archaeological Institute, Belgrade), Jovan Mitrovi (National Museum of Serbia, Belgrade)Archaeological site Kale in Krevica (Southeastern Serbia): a Question of Changing Settlement Patterns and Roles of Greek Material Culture in the IV and III Centuries BC Iron Age Communities

16:15-16:30 Marius Cristian Basceanu (Museum of Oltenia, Craiova)The Early Iron Age Basarabi-type Tumuli from Desa (Dolj county, Romania) - Research Results (2001-2014)

16:30-16:45 Nikos Chausidis (Department of archaeology, University of Skopje, Skopje)The Iconography, Symbolism and Religious Use of Iron Age Cluster Pendants as Part of the Group of Macedonian Bronzes

16:45-17:00 Discussion17:00-17:20 Coffee break

SESSION 1117:20-18:50Chair: Valentina Todoroska

17:20-17:35 Jamieson C. Donati (Institute for Mediterranean Studies FORTH, Rethymno), Apostolos Sarris (Institute for Mediterranean Studies FORTH, Rethymno), Gianluca Cantoro (Institute for Mediterranean Studies FORTH, Rethymno), Carmen Cuenca-Garca (Institute for Mediterranean Studies FORTH, Rethymno), Tuna Kalayc (Institute for Mediterranean Studies FORTH, Rethymno), Meropi Manataki (Institute for Mediterranean Studies FORTH, Rethymno), Franois-Xavier (Simon Maison des Sciences de lHomme, Rennes), Konstantinos Vouzaxakis (13th Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities, Rethymno)Results of the IGEAN Project 2013-2014: An Integrated Geophysical Survey Campaign at Neolithic Settlements in Thessaly (Central Greece)

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17:35-17:50 Milan Hork (Via Magna s.r.o., Martin), Jn Zachar (Via Magna s.r.o., Martin), Seta tuhec (Via Magna s.r.o., Martin)3D Documentation of the Archaeological Park Brazda

17:50-18:05 Damjan Donev (Leiden University, Leiden)Open Prehistoric Settlements from the Middle Vardar Valley

18:05-18:20 Anisa Buzo (Independent archaeologist, Podgradec), Artan Mehmeti (Independent archaeologist, Pristina) Cartographic Submission of Prehistoric Settlements in Pogradec District

18:20-18:35 Igor Tolevski (Independent reasercher, Skopje)The Neolithic House of Ramniste near Village Sopot, North Veles Region

18:35-18:50 Marina Yurieva Vladimirova (State University for Library Studies and Information Technologies, Sofia)Prehistoric Underwater Cultural Heritage in the Bulgarian Black Sea Water Area

18:50-19:00 Discussion

19:00 Closing of the conference

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European Journal of ArchaeologyVolume 18 (2015), 4 issues per yearwww.maneyonline.com/eja

The European Journal of Archaeology aims to publish the best new archaeological research undertaken in and around Europe.Articles range from major reviews of the prehistoric and historic archaeology of Europe and neighbouring regions, to reports on key archaeological discoveries set within a European context, to cutting-edge research and debates on science-based archaeology.

Journal of Wetland ArchaeologyVolume 15 (2015), 1 issue per yearwww.maneyonline.com/jwa

The Journal of Wetland Archaeology publishes a wide range of contributions in all fields of wetland archaeology. It includes scientific and methodological features, geoprospection, environmental reconstruction, wetland hydrology, cultural aspects of wetland archaeology, as well as conservation, site management, legislation, and site protection. All periods and all geographic regions are covered.

Environmental ArchaeologyVolume 20 (2014), 4 issues per yearwww.maneyonline.com/env

Environmental Archaeology: The Journal of Human Palaeoecology is an international peer-reviewed periodical which welcomes contributions that consider the interaction between humans and their environment in the archaeological and historical past. The journal welcome contributions on all aspects of environmental archaeology, from methodology to synthesis and theory.

Prehistoric archaeologyJournals from Maney Publishing

For a full list of the journals that we publish visit www.maneyonline.com/archaeo

Editors Choice articles are freely available to read and download from any journal homepage

www.maneyonline.com/archaeo

17

SESSIONS

18

13.03.2015

SESSION 1

Catherine Commenge (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - CNRS, Paris)Technical Systems and the Social Dynamics of the Transmission of the Neolithic package in the Southwestern Balkans: Some Evidence from Tumba Madzhari, Republic of Macedonia

Technical studies that consider technical choices and the know-how behind technical processes, closely dependent on the identity of their makers and on their sources of tradition in manufacturing, are a fruitful field for appreciating processes of cultural transmission and spatiotemporal dynamics.

The very genesis of those technical systems has to be examined in so far as processes have already been developed and well honed in the Near East. The pottery assemblage recovered from recent investigation at Tumba Madzhari gives some clues as to the transmission of multiple manufacturing techniques from the Near East in that it documents the modalities of a binary conceptual system of production. Moreover, some evidence on hybridization of the manufacturing techniques of effigy vessels (majki) could provide insights into the debriefing of their symbolic roles in the social cohesion of pioneer farmer societies in Macedonia.

Goce Naumov (Euro Balkan University, Skopje)Of Miniatures and Hybrids: The Neolithic Figurines and Anthropomorphic House Models in the Republic of Macedonia

The figurines and anthropomorphic ceramic hybrids in the Balkan Neolithic were often over generalized in the archaeological interpretation. Mostly, they were identified with a pantheon of goddesses or recently as anonymous individuals representing the Neolithic perception of human body. Obviously these two directions of interpretation are not convincing and generally are based on data not studied thoroughly. They are essentially established on assumptions inspired only by the published images of artifacts and not on detailed finds analysis of each Neolithic site. Moreover, the figurines and anthropomorphic house models were not studied in mutual relationship or in association to other finds, dwellings or burials. The recent research indicates that figurines and anthropomorphic hybrids provide an entirely new perspective on the Neolithic understanding of human body and its employment within symbolic determination of local identities. Therefore miniatures and hybrids from Pelagonia, Ove Pole and Skopje Valley will be presented in order to assert the varieties of embodied practices and substandard corporeality even among neighboring settlements.

Zlata Blazeska (Department of archaeology, University of Skopje, Skopje), Jasemin Nazim (Museum of Macedonia, Skopje)The Textile Impressions from Neolithic Settlements from Prilep, Republic of Macedonia

A series of negative impressions in clay have been recovered during the excavations at Neolithic settlements from Prilep, Republic of Macedonia. At all impressions has identified the same technique of craftsmanship weft twining with paired weft. Textile impressions are distinguished according to the thickness of the weft threads used and their density. Weft twining is a very old technique and is

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considered to be halfway between some prehistoric basketry techniques and real weaving on loom. The preference of one technique can indicates stable, more developed stage of textile production.

Marcel Otte (University of Lige, Lige) The Balkans Neolithic Traditions, Nowadays in the Country

The rural civilizations of the modern Balkans possess a popular mythology and an extremely rich craft art with a strong persistence of the traditional. The effect of Christianization is felt only very superficially, in particular by the superposition of annual festivals with the actions of certain saints and cults of the Virgin Mary. The profound significance of these rituals, still well known, also coincides with seasonal rhythms. Modern decorative motifs clearly recall them, passing from figured themes (trees, horses, snakes, for example) to plastic patterns. Original religious motifs (pagan) are thus maintained as decorative elements, sometimes even without the knowledge of the peasants who still use them. We can thus read the fundamental motifs articulated by the regional Neolithic metaphysics, itself extremely powerful and of much longer duration than Christianization. The same challenges, moreover, traverse the Balkan peasantry that the Neolithic apparently put in place.

SESSION 2

Nikola Vukosavljevi (Department of Archaeology, University of Zagreb, Zagreb), Zlatko Perho (Institute of Earth Sciences, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg), Ivor Karavani (Department of Archaeology, University of Zagreb, Zagreb)Stones, Shell Beads and Hunter-gatherers Mobility During Late Upper Palaeolithic and Mesolithic - Zala Cave Case Study

Zala Cave is located in the western part of central Croatia in the transitional zone, in a submountain valley, between the eastern Peri-Pannonian and western mountainous Croatia, where the Pannonian Plain is closest to the Adriatic Sea, ca. 50 km as the crow flies from the modern coast. Zala Cave has been excavated in the period from 2005 to 2012. During the course of the excavation long stratigraphic sequence has been recorded including Late Upper Palaeolithic, Mesolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age/Ancient Roman and Middle Age horizons.

In this paper we will present main features of the litihic and perforated snail shells assemblages found in Late Upper Paleolithic and Mesolithic horizons which are dated between ca. 14100 and 9200 uncal bp. Lithic raw material provenance studies and archaeomalacological analysis of shell beads bring data about mobility of hunter-gatherers from Zala Cave and diachronic changes in personal ornaments.

Clive Bonsall (University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh)Forager-farmer Interactions? The Iron Gates from 6300 to 5900 cal BC

After millennia of a relatively stable fisher-hunter-gatherer adaptation in the Iron Gates section of the lower Danube valley, significant changes in the archaeological record occur between c. 6200 and 5950 cal BC. These changes include the appearance of lime plaster pyrotechnology and sculptured boulders at Lepenski Vir, exotic raw materials (Balkan flint, obsidian and Spondylus shell), pottery, ground-edge tools, new burial practices, and archaeozoological and stable isotopic evidence of changing subsistence practices and population movements. This paper considers the

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chronology of these changes, and discusses the extent to which they can be attributed to contacts between the fishing communities of the Iron Gates and encroaching Neolithic farmers.

Janusz K. Kozowski (Institute of Archaeology, Jagiellonian University, Krakw), Magorzata Kaczanowska (Archaeological Museum, Krakw)Before the Neolithization: Causes of Mesolithic Diversity in the Southern Balkans

The Balkans, particularly southern and central, were sparsely populated in the Mesolithic and the occupation networks in that period were discontinuous and highly diversified, contrasting with the density and homogeneity of the Early Neolithic. The aim of this paper is to describe the environmental conditions of the Mesolithic sites in relation to Early Holocene climatic fluctuations and to discuss the causes of originality and diversity of human culture and behavior at this period.

Some general trends are observable in the adaptation to Early Holocene environments (trends in faunal exploitation; for ex. shift from high ranked large game to low ranked small animals) but also particular adaptations to local conditions (technological changes due to difficulties in access to better quality lithic raw materials, adaptations to coastal or to terrestrial resources reflecting the unique features of site use, etc).

The diversity of the Mesolithic is also reflected in cultural taxonomy: in some sequences continuity of the Balkan Epigravettian techno-morphological tradition can be seen as opposed, in other sequences, to highly isolated groups with technology and tool morphology adapted to local raw materials and specific activities. The Balkan Mesolithic was not completely cut-off from the Western Mediterranean techno-morphological influences (particularly in southern Greece) and from the Anatolian lithic traditions (seen only in the Northern Aegean area). More intensive network of marine contacts is confirmed by obsidian circulation in the Aegean Basin.

SESSION 3

Miroslav Razum (Istanbul University, Istanbul)Balkans in the Second Half of the 6th Millennium BC and it Connections to Anatolia - a Look from the East

The period from 5500 cal BC until 5000 BC is a time of drastic changes in Balkans with an advance of the reduction method of pottery firing, the first fully sedentary villages and new ways of subsistence economy and social life. The similar features also exist in Anatolia, as since the beginning of the Early Neolithic in Balkans the parallelism between Balkans and Anatolia could be observed. The aim of my paper is to stress the problem of the origin of the so-called Vina package with the help of the pottery material from the Early Chalcolithic sites in Central and North-western Anatolia. But the more real picture could be obtained if not only pottery assemblages, but also architecture, subsistence economy and stone industry are also taken into account in comparison between these two regions. Although this topic has been discussed for many times until now, by using the most recent finds from Anatolia, and observing common features on supra-regional level, well be able to get a clearer view on this old problem.

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Beatrijs de Groot (Institute of Archaeology, University College London, London)Social Interactions as Mechanisms for Change; Ceramic Production and Style in Neolithic Anatolia and the Balkans

Ceramics are versatile artifacts that have the ability to capture stylistic concepts and the technological abilities of their producers in their design. In Anatolia and the Balkans, patterns in the similarities between ceramic assemblages are of great importance for understanding the process of Neolithisation (c. 6500-5800 BC). However, how can these similarities inform us about past social interactions?

In order to systematically compare Neolithic ceramic assemblages, my research has considered a wide range of technological and stylistic information in the form of pottery attributes from a sample of sites throughout Anatolia and the Balkans. The results of this spatial analysis will be presented and compared to the latest results from a petrographic analysis of ceramics from the Marmara region (Barcn Hyk and Aktopraklk) and Northeastern Bulgaria (Dzhulyunitsa Smardesh). This detailed technological analysis provided a case study to compare local ceramic production to interregional patterns of similarities. The results inform us about the dynamics between technological traditions and the spread of concepts relating to ceramic decoration and morphology. The patterns produced allow us to glimpse at potential social relationships as the underlying mechanisms for technological and stylistic changes.

Ana urii (Department of archaeology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade)Shelter vs. Home: Different Perceptions of a House in the Neolithic of the Central Balkans

House, dwelling, living quarter. They are all synonyms, but it does not mean that those forms of living space can always be called home. Dwellings from the Early Neolithic of the Central Balkans are often described as semi-subterranean houses with portions of walls and roof above ground level. They are identified as houses based on the existence of some sort of fire installation and/or their dimensions. Their internal organization is rarely visible, without clear zones of activity, based on the distribution of artifacts. On the other hand, houses dating from the Late Neolithic of the Central Balkans are, in most cases, completely above ground structures, made from wattle and daub, with one or more than one room, with fire installations, grinding stones, places for storage and they are full of objects used in the everyday life, together with ones that have symbolic meaning. So, is every house a home or some are just a roof over ones head, a shelter? Based on the descriptions of house construction, internal organization and portable and fixed objects found inside Early and Late Neolithic dwellings of the Central Balkans, the differences between the perceptions of living quarters during these two periods, will be made.

Iharka Szucs-Csillik, (Institute of Astronomy, Romanian Academy, Cluj-Napoca), Alexandra Comsa (Institute of Archaeology, Bucharest)A Brief Overview of Astronomys Place in Romanian Neolithic Research

In the common knowledge there is frequently included the research about the celestial phenomenon of tropic circles of latitude (Maya, Inca, and Aztec Cultures vertical heliacal rises of stars) and the polar circles of latitude (stone circles). At Tropical circles mark the northernmost and southernmost latitudes at which the Sun may be seen directly overhead (at the solstices). The Polar circles is the southernmost latitude in the Northern Hemisphere or marks the northernmost latitude in the Southern Hemisphere at which the sun can remain continuously above or below the horizon for 24 hours

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(at solstices). The two solstices and the two equinox regulate and define sights and cultures. The astronomy has an important role and significance in the Neolithic time. The geographical position of Romania (latitude: 44o N 48o N, longitudes: 20o E 29o E), the topography determines the starry sky what we can see above us (which constellations can be seen during one year, the location of the constellations for the given time). On the Romanian territory in Neolithic the Sun (the star in our galaxy), the Moon (the moon of our earth) and a lot of constellations (Orion, Taurus, Gemini, Cassiopeia, etc.) have a prominent role, because of favorable visibility, and for time measure, calendar making. We study what influences can exert celestial phenomenon on a communitys life on the Romanian territory. The orientation towards the Sun direction of the settlements, dwellings, skeletons (inside the solar arc, four seasons equinoxes and solstices) show as the beliefs of the Neolithic populations (Iclod, Parta, Cernica, Varasti etc.).

We should mention that Romania has a geographic position in the temperate zone, with four seasons a year. From here the Northern hemisphere constellations could be entirely seen, as well as few from the Southern hemisphere. Due to those four seasons and of the favorable geographic conditions, occupations like agriculture, fishing, animal breeding etc. could be practiced. Besides, other populations could safely get settled and live here, having enough natural shelters and food. The Sun observation during the Neolithic period was important because of the annual apparent movement of the Sun on the horizon, which describes a solar arc. .These observations had been done for measuring the time, for making calendars and finally resulted in the emergence of the solar cult. Besides, some celestial phenomena, which are periodical, like the eclipses and permit a calculation for the past, can be used in the studies about chronology.

SESSION 4

Maria Gurova (National Institute of Archaeology and Museum, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia)Neolithic Flint Supply Systems: Geological, Technological and Social Aspects

One of the most distinctive characteristics of the early Neolithic flint assemblages from Bulgaria is their raw material. The so-called formal toolkits (sickle blades and various retouched blades removed by punch technique) are made of yellow-honey colored, waxy, white spotted high quality flint referred to in the literature as (Pre-) Balkan platform flint, or simply Balkan flint (BF). Apart from formal tools BF as nodules and debitage also spread among the Balkan Early Neolithic habitats. The geological aspect of the raw materials is an important facet of the prehistoric supply system. It is well known that significant accumulations of siliceous/flint concretions are located in the Moesian Platform and adjacent parts of the Balkan Alpine Orogen. Until now BF outcrops have been located in Pleven-Nikopol region hosted in chalky limestones, belonging to the Upper Cretaceous Mezdra Formation. From there this raw material was distributed in different directions and over considerable distances. The Balkan flint distribution system was one of two major lithic exchange networks operating in Southeast Europe during the Early Neolithic. In this respect it remains challenging why in the second half of the VI mill. BC this raw material decreases significantly in favor of local, mediocre-quality raw materials from secondary placer deposits of siliceous rocks with easy access. For the numerous sites in Thrace (located at varying distances from the Maritsa tributaries) the range of raw materials can be associated with the Eastern Rhodope volcanogenous rocks, rich in jasper and chalcedony veins. This gradual shift in raw material procurement and distribution strategy corresponds to the global changes that occurred during the Middle and Late Neolithic, the origin and social dimensions of which are still unclear.

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Lilian Dogiama (McMaster University, Hamilton)Casting A Wide Network: The Early Neolithic Chipped Stone From Revenia, Pieria

In this paper I present the preliminary results of my study of the chipped stone assemblage from the Early Neolithic site Revenia Korinou, in Northern Pieria (6th-5th millennium BCE).Revenia is a flat-extended settlement with semi-subterranean structures and 86 large pits with evidence of preferential deposition of material. Some of its unique features are the five human burials within the structures, strikingly reminiscent of Neolithic practices in the Near East and Anatolia, and its enormous shell midden deposits, whose size is not the norm for Greek Neolithic sites.

The chipped stone assemblage is equally interesting. The people of Revenia had access to high-quality raw materials that travelled a long way to reach them. Most notable among them are obsidian, chocolate and honey flint. These exotica are represented in great numbers within the assemblage and demonstrate strong connections and established networks that are quite unusual for sites of such an early date. In the case of obsidian we know that its circulation during prehistory was never widespread in northern Greece and when it does occur, it is always in minute amounts. In this respect Revenia seems to be a unique case study that could perhaps alter our perceptions on Neolithic networks.

Sonja Kacar (University of Toulouse 2- Jean Jaures, Toulouse/University of Zagreb, Zagreb)Lithic Production Strategies of Early Neolithic Communities in Northern Dalmatia

This paper seeks to examine the strategies of lithic production of first agro-pastoral societies in Northern Dalmatia based on lithic analyses from main open-air sites in ibenik and Zadar regions: Rasinovac, Vrbica, Konjevrate, Crno Vrilo, Tinj and Vrcelji.

Lithic assemblages from sites in Northern Dalmatia reflect the intention of early Neolithic knappers towards a blade production. In order to obtain blade and bladelet blanks two main knapping techniques were used: indirect percussion and pressure flaking. Both techniques were coexisting in the region at least since later phase of Impresso culture (cca. 5700 BC). Laminar technology demonstrates not only important technological investment (know-how, especially regarding the core preparation), but also an important investment in raw material procurement (inter-regional networks).

However, although the lithic assemblages from Northern Dalmatia show many similarities regarding technology and the choice of raw material, some differences between those sites can also be observed.

Vasilka Dimitrovska (HAEMUS - center for scientific research and promotion of culture, Skopje)Lithic Raw Material Procurement and Consumption during Neo-Eneolithic/Bronze Age: The Case of Cocev Kamen (Kratovo, Republic of Macedonia)

Cocev Kamen is a rocky area of volcanic origin consisting of caves and rock-shelters, and located in the heart of Kratovo-Zletovo Paleo-volcanic area (Kratovo, East Macedonia). It is believed to have been used as a temple from prehistoric times (Neolithic-Bronze age), through to the Roman era, and well into the Middle Ages.

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The surface finds of grey chalcedony used for chipped stone tools overlap with flint outcroppings. There is a nearby mine -- still in use today -- which provides various non-metal minerals. The abundance of cores, rejuvenation artifacts and waste, indicate the existence of a workshop or several workshops at this same location. It is also possible that stone tools were made at the settlement, and that the mine was a source of the materials used. The stone material, the typological determination of the stone tools and the technological methods of manufacturing suggest possible lithic raw material procurement and consumption during the Neolithic/Eneolithic/Bronze Age periods.

The spatial and temporal overlapping of Cocev Kamen, within the Amzabegovo-Vrnik culture, allows the possible reconstruction of the system of local supply of stone tools in Neolithic Macedonia as well.

SESSION 5

Neda Mirkovi-Mari (National Museum Kikinda, Kikinda), Miroslav Mari (Institute for Balkan studies SASA, Belgrade), Lidija Milainovi (National Museum Kikinda, Kikinda), Barry Molloy (University College Dublin, Dublin), Dragan Jovanovi (City Museum Vrac, Vrac)The Gradite in Io Site in the Light of Revisionary Archaeological Research

The site is located about 7 km from Kikinda close to the village of Idjo. It is known under several names, one of which is the Slavic town. It was inhabited, with interruptions from the Middle Neolithic to the early Middle Ages. The oldest settlement horizon noted is the Middle Neolithic Starevo / Krs horizon, followed by a horizon with Vina and Tisza culture mixed in the same contexts. The next phase consists of the remains of a settlement with the remains of Tisza material culture. Somewhat bigger is the later settlement with the remains of two concentric earthen ramparts 250 m in diameter, which, based on the findings can be linked to the period of the late Bronze Age and early Iron or Bosut group III.

The importance of the site was confirmed in 1990 when it was declared as heritage of great importance in the national legislation.

Although the site has been investigated several times in the past (1913, 1947 and 1948, 1972), the results of these excavations have not provided satisfactory answers to many important questions related to the prehistoric period and the Middle Ages in this part of the Pannonia plain. It is especially important to emphasize that temporal distance from these studies inevitably requires revisionary work which would greatly complement the existing knowledge about prehistory of the region. In 2014 the revisionary research of the site began that included geomagnetic survey, geological drilling and excavation of several smaller stratigraphic trenches. The project is hosted by the National Museum of Kikinda, with collaborators from Serbia and abroad.

Katalin Sebk (Institute of Archaeological Sciences, Etvs Lornd University, Budapest)Pride and Prefiguration: Roles of Decorated Pottery in the Neolithic of the Carpathian Basin

The assertive character of ceramic style was recognized and used for interpretation from the beginnings of archaeological research. Latest approaches however try to look behind this horizon, and exploit further possibilities of this source to reconstruct, among others, cognitive and social

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structures and processes of past societies. This presentation uses the evolution of ceramic decoration in the Alfld Linear Pottery Culture and its successors in the Middle and Late Neolithic in the eastern half of the Carpathian Basin as a case study to survey, through a couple of examples, our current picture on the ways how and why ceramic styles might have worked in this period. Beside positioning ceramics in the archaeological record we focus on the constitution and ingredients of ceramic style; on the distribution of decorational and other extra elements in the ceramic material, and the absolute amounts of appearing aesthetic labour; on the possibilities of interpretation with regards to the assertive and emblemic characters of ceramic styles; on the connections of style and different levels and groupings of a community (and above) and everyday life; on detectable changes in function during a vessels life; and on the patterns of cultural interaction and hybridization.

Ivan Suvandzhiev (University of Veliko Turnovo, Veliko Turnovo)Incised Signs on Ceramics from North Central Bulgaria

The incised signs are a major part of the spiritual culture and the art of the prehistoric society. Nowadays, the modern technologies allow us to apply many methods, which form new ideas and perspectives and bring light to some vague until recently problems. But the question of the incised signs, their meaning and use stands away from this process, it is still quite disputable. This paper presents the signs incised on bottoms of vessels during the second half of the Neolithic in North Central Bulgaria. It includes 21 signs, decorated on ceramics found in Samovodene, Koprivets, Kachitsa, Hotnitsa-Orlovka, Hotnitsa-Kashlata, Hotnitsa-Kaya bunar and Gorna Oryahovitsa (16 of them unpublished). The analysis doesnt aim to introduce them as part of the so-called Danube script, but to present this aspect of the Neolithic society in the region.

Todor Valchev (Regional historical museum, Yambol)Anthropomorphic Plastic Art from the Settlement Mound Yasa Tepe near the Village of Kabile, Yambol Municipality, Bulgaria

Anthropomorphic plastic art is one of the main elements of prehistoric culture. The plastic art is important source of information about the spiritual world of the prehistoric people. Its present the main mythological conceptions of the first farmers in our lands. Also the anthropomorphic plastic art presents and the esthetical criterion of the ancient humans.

The aim of this article is to present twelve human figurines from the prehistoric settlement mound Yasa tepe near the Kabile village, Yambol Municipality. The anthropomorphic figurines are made from clay. Eleven from them belong to the Late Neolithic Karanovo III-IV culture and Karanovo IV culture. One of the anthropomorphic figurines belongs to the Early Iron Age.

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14.03.2015

SESSION 6

Silvia Amicone (Institute of Archaeology, University College London, London), Patrick Quinn (Institute of Archaeology, University College London, London), Miljana Radivojevi (Institute of Archaeology, University College London, London), Thilo Rehren (UCL Qatar, Hamad bin Khalifa University, Doha)Technological Advancements in Pottery Production at the Dawn of the Metal Age:Case Studies from Plonik and Belovode

The Serbian Neolithic/Chalcolithic Vina culture sites of Belovode and Plonik (c. 5350-4650 BC) have recently yielded some of the earliest known evidence for copper smelting and metal artefacts in Eurasia, dated at c. 5000 BC, along with hundreds of thousands of pottery sherds. Among these Black Burnished Ware (sometimes associated with graphite painted decoration) plays an important role, as it may have been a precursor to metal smelting pyrotechnology.

The study covers the full spectrum of Vina pottery in the two sites via thin section petrography, X-Ray fluorescence analysis (XRF), X-Ray powder diffraction (XRPD) analysis and Scanning Electron microscope (SEM), in order to characterise the raw materials and the processes employed in Neolithic/Chalcolithic ceramic production. Particular emphasis was put on the pyrotechnology behind the Black Burnished Ware that was decorated with graphite, in order to shed new light on its relation to pyrometallurgy.

The results highlights the plethora of choices applied during the production of pottery at these sites and the possibility for pottery importation/exchange on a regional and interregional scale, based on a systematic geological prospection of clay sources. Moreover, our initial XRPD results, contribute significantly to the discussion of the pyrotechnological link between pottery and metallurgy.

Marijana Krmpoti (Croatian Conservation Institute, Zagreb)Importance of the Area of Eastern Croatia in Communication Network at the End of the Early Bronze Age

At the end of the Early Bronze Age, i.e. Re Br A2 stage, eastern Croatia is the area through which the metal artifacts from the NW Balkans are distributed further to the north. This can be traced through two types of bronze objects: the ornaments of so-called akasti or Juhor type, i.e. arm rings or anklets with flared and rolled ends, and the shaft-tube axes of the Kozarac type. Ornaments with flared and rolled ends, produced in the area of upper Morava, were transported along the Danube to the north and northwest, through Slavonija and Baranja to NE Transdanubia. Axes of the Kozarac type, produced in Bosnia, were distributed to southern Transdanubia through the bearers of Litzen pottery, inhabited in Croatia north of the Sava river. The appearance of the bronze products from Balkan in the hoard in Koros, situated in the Hungarian part of Baranja, originating from two different production centers, suggests that the communication routes intersected in the area of eastern Croatia. This intersection can be found on the akovo plateau, where different cultural appearances at the end of Early Bronze Age also intersect: Transdanubian Encrusted Pottery culture, Vatina culture and Litzen pottery.

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Tihomir Percan (Croatian Conservation Institute, Zagreb), Ivica Pletina (Croatian Conservation Institute, Zagreb)Bronze Age Apatite Pendant from Ljubi Cave (Istria)

The Ljubi cave is situated in southern Istria (Croatia) near the village Marana and only 15 kilometers east of Pula. The cave itself is positioned on the bottom of a large sinkhole. From 2008 to 2011 archaeological excavations were carried out in cooperation between Musee dAnthropologie prehistorique de Monaco (Principality of Monaco) and The Croatian Conservation Institute (Croatia). By collecting all the scientific research, we were able to reconstruct that the cave was continuously in use from the Late Paleolithic (Epigravettian) until the Bronze age. Most of the findings from Bronze age were found on the surface because of the erosion of the sediment. Although the characteristics of this period in Istria are hill-fort settlements, the caves were also in use. Apatite pendant is the most important finding from that period. It indicates mobility, communication and contacts between Bronze age people on wide distances. Furthermore, it also indicates the importance and special status of the individual inside of the society. Different analysis were made on this pendant (FT-IR spectroscopy, EDS microanalysis). With further analysis we will try to discover exact provenances of this mineral.

Daniel Costache-Bolocan (Buzau County Museum, Buzau)Bronze Age Landscape in South-Eastern Romania. Considerations Regarding Spatial Distribution of the Monteoru Settlements in Subcharpathian Area, near Buzu River Valley

Studying the dynamics of Bronze Age settlements was one of the main factors in determining the spatial evolution of the phenomenon discussed, and - as a working hypothesis, the establishment of certain areas of economic interest to the human communities that have evolved in the prehistoric period. Although easily to be considered artificial, the distribution of the Monteoru culture settlements on occupational-micro regions can serve as a starting point in analyzing the organization, planning and use of economical determinant for the type of economic activity. Economic characteristics of the areas of interest/occupational micro regions, as we tried to capture in this paper, can be the basis for a larger study, which we have in mind in the future, about the exploitation of natural resources.

Regarding the relief forms we can established that people from Bronze Age prefer use high mountain crests, plateau, high hills and also terraces.

Marta Rakvin (Department of Archaeology, University of Zagreb, Zagreb)The Moslavina Region during the Late Bronze and the Early Iron Age

The Moslavina region in continental Croatia, occupies a transitional position connecting the north-western parts of the country with Slavonia in the east and the Sava river basin to the south. Still, it remains an insufficiently researched area with only a few known sites that can be attributed to the periods of the Late Bronze and the Early Iron Age. The research has shown that the Mari hillfort near Kutina has been occupied since the 12th century BC and would, therefore, belong to a group of north Croatian Late Bronze Age hillforts founded during the HaA1 phase. Furthermore, it is shown that the settlement lived most intensely during the later phase of the Urnfield Culture and during the transition period to the Early Iron Age. There is a visible change in direction of cultural influences reaching Mari hillfort during this phases. Also, some of the finds point out to local distinctions that were not only specific to Moslavina region, but to the area of northern Croatia as well. A small

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number of finds indicate that life on the hillfort continued into the Early Iron Age, but conclusions about a more complete picture of this period still cannot be made.

SESSON 7

Marina Spirova (HAEMUS - Center for scientific research and promotion of culture, Skopje)The Eneolithic Sanctuary at Spanchevo: Landscape, Cult Practices and Aspects of the Spiritual Life

Places of cult are more than just sanctuaries, depicted deities or traces of cult activities. They share a deep and unbreakable bond with its surrounding environment. And also raise numerous questions. Why did the people choose that particular location? What makes a certain place sacred? How is the sacred space distinguished from the profane?

The sanctuary at Spanchevo represents a unique occurrence in the Eneolithic in the Balkan. It not only sheds light on the cult activities and performances, but also emphasizes the importance of the landscape and the dynamic relationship between the choice of location, cult practices and the people. The complex system of religious ideas, as well as human intervention on the space itself, create the outline of the sacred landscape of that region.

Dumitru Boghian (Faculty of History and Geography, University of Suceava, Suceava), Sergiu-Constantin Enea (Ion Neculce Highschool, Trgu Frumos)Elements of Landscape Archaeology in the Cucutenian-Site Areas from Costeti-Cier and Giurgeti-Dealul Mnstirii, Iai County, Romania

Landscape archaeology elements in the cucutenian-site areas from Costeti-Cier and Giurgeti-Dealul Mnstirii, Iai County. In this study, the authors present their conclu-sions obtained through corroborating and integrated approach to the archaeological, geological, geographical, pedological, archaeozoological and archaeobotanical data which facilitate a holistic interpretation of the cucutenian sites, the microregions from Costeti-Cier and Giurgeti-Dealul Mnstirii (Monastery Hill), from the perspective of displaying their ecolo-gical landscape (landscape ecology) and the archaeological landscape (landscape archaeology), in the Middle-Late Atlantic and Subboreal stages.

In this regard, the field investigations as well as achieving the thematic cartographic materials were very helpful, using the possibilities offered by the digital terrain models within GIS / SIG. Directly or by analogy, there have been realized some modelings and reconstructions of the landscape/ecosystem prehistoric evolution in the micro-area GiurgetiCosteti (the upper Bahluiet stream, sub-basin Bahlui, Prut hydrographical basin), for the understanding and the coherent interpretation of the complex geosystemic and anthropogenic balance in the Trgu Frumos region (Poarta Trgului Frumos / Trgu Frumos Gate), an important micro-region of movement and contact during the proto-and historical times.

All these data and reconstructions have offered the opportunity of a more accurate and nuanced explanation of the dynamics, of patterns and characteristics of the Eneolithic habitat in the Trgu Frumos micro-region, very intensely inhabited by the Precucuteni-Cucuteni and Horoditea-Erbiceni communities (mil. 5030 BC), taking into consideration the natural envi-ronment feature.es, their adaptation power, their cultural traditions or those acquired by suc-cessive acculturations.

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Andreja Kudeli (Institute of Archaeology, Zagreb), Lujana Paraman (Trogir Town Museum, Trogir), Filomena Sirovica (Archaeological Museum in Zagreb, Zagreb)Indications of Prehistoric Settlement Design in Archaeological Record

In the last few years, archaeological excavations conducted as part of a major infrastructure works in the area of upper Posavina, Croatia, resulted in collecting an extensive set of archaeologically significant data on past settlement systems. The research comprised a few large sites from the Middle and the beginning of the Late Bronze Age, characterized by the features of Virovitica cultural group. On the results of excavations conducted at two lowland sites from the period in question: Kurilovec-Belinica and Selnica itarjevska (micro-region Turopolje); authors analyze different aspects of identified archaeological record. With an aim to discuss potential indicators on prehistoric settlement design, emphasis is placed on allocation of data that may represent reflections of deliberate selection of a settlement area, its organizational system and its architectural character. By comparison with the settlement features of contiguous sites with equal cultural characteristics, considerations are further directed towards the potential impacts of environmental, cultural and economic conditions on the occurrence of a specific settlement pattern in a regional context.

SESSION 8

Roxana Munteanu (Buzau County Museum, Buzau)The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. Technological, stylistic and morphological features of Cucuteni C pottery debated

Although the first definition of the Cucuteni C pottery goes back more than 8 decades, there are still few studies exclusively dedicated to it, and they are especially concentrated around the beginning of the 80s. The guidelines of the scientific approach were drawn by Ann Dodd-Opriescu and tefan Cuco, and all subsequent papers presenting Chalcolithic shell-tempered pottery are reiterating the same assertions. The first impression is that the Cucuteni C pottery type is already accurately defined in respect with typology, morphology, chronology and origin, that all further discussions on this subject might be interpreted as redundant.

When analyzed in detail, the Cucuteni C assemblages from several investigated sites from eastern Romania show a significant inconsistency. Mixing the criteria, are designated as such either only shell-tempered wares or, sometimes, all pots decorated in a specific manner. The present study debates these assignations and attempts to order the various Cucuteni C assemblages.

This work was possible with the financial support of European Social Fund, Operational Programme Human Resources Development 2007 - 2013, Priority no. 1 Education and training in support for growth and development of the knowledge society, Key Area of Intervention 1.5 Doctoral and post-doctoral research support Title: MINERVA - Cooperation for elite career in PhD and post doctoral research, ID POSDRU 159/1.5/S/137832.

Lea ataj (Croatian Conservation Institute, Zagreb)Crkvie-Bukovlje, new Eneolithic site in central Croatia

The site Crkvie-Bukovlje is situated on a hillfort above the river Mrenica in the region of Kordun in central Croatia, on a strategically very good position.Archaeological excavations were for the first time carried out in 2010, when Late Bronze Age

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and Lasinja culture layers were brought to light. The site has been systematically excavated since 2012. Rich Eneolithic horizon was revealed with abundance of pottery mostly belonging to Lasinja culture. The position of several postholes indicates the existence of aboveground house.Pottery displays similarities with other sites of Lasinja culture south of Kupa and Sava rivers in Croatia, as well as in Bela krajina in Slovenia. Some traits of Retz-Gajary culture could also be noted in ornamentation of pottery. The only radiocarbon date obtained so far falls in the period of early Baden culture, but pottery finds didnt yield enough evidence for the existence of this horizon at Crkvie.Although a relatively small area has been excavated so far, the site gives an important insight into the middle Eneolithic period of central Croatia south of the Kupa and Sava rivers.

Maja Kuzmanovic (Department of Archaeology, University of Zagreb, Zagreb)The Neolithic and Eneolithic Settlement Medvoe-Glogovica in the Context of Prehistoric Trade and Exchange Networks

The settlement Medvoe-Glogovica is located at the southern edge of the Carpathian Basin, in Eastern Croatia. Archaeological assemblage indicates that the older settlement belongs to the Late Neolithic Sopot culture according to the South-eastern European chronology a.k.a. Middle Chalcolithic period in Anatolia. This period is marked with the process of vinanisation in the Balkans. Analogies in pottery from Medvoe-Glogovica can be followed up the Aa Pnar, key site in the Eastern Thrace, region that connects Balkans and Anatolia till the end of the 5th / beginning of the 4th millenium BC.

In the period of Late Eneolithic according to the Southeastern European chronology a.k.a. Late Chalcolithic in Anatolia, Medvoe was repopulated by the dwellers of Retz-Gajary cultural horizon. Some finds in the archaeological assemblage indicate early Bolerz as well. One of the dwellings was a multilayer workhouse with the finds of arsenical bronze. High arsenical bronze technology has been steadily practised in Anatolia at least since the beginning of the fourth millennium BC. The prehistoric settlement at Medvoe-Glogovica situated 9km north of the river Sava, one of the Danube tributaries, was located on an important route that was part of the exchange network between Balkans and Anatolia.

SESSION 9

Alexandra Anders (Institute of Archaeological Sciences, Etvs Lornd University, Budapest), Gbor Kalla (Institute of Archaeological Sciences, Etvs Lornd University, Budapest)New Possibilities for the Interpretation of the So-called Sanctuaries in the Neolithic

In the last decade there was a turnaround in the theoretical approach to prehistoric religious phenomena, but it has hardly had any effect on the Neolithic research in east-central and south-eastern Europe. It was quite obvious for a long time that using terms such as sanctuary (temple) or cult for special remains dated to the Neolithic is misleading. These expressions suggest a complex world of gods which appears only later, by the time of the early states. It would be more fruitful if we would interpret the phenomenon from the viewpoint of communal rituals, using Harvey Whitehouses theory in the sense of the more ancient, imagistic mode of religiosity. On the grounds of documented archaeological evidence it is clear that fire and high arousal deliberate burning played an outstanding role in such activities. We can interpret the resulting assemblages as a kind of structured deposits as they came to existence as a consequence of complex rituals.

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Adopting this approach would also be very fruitful for Neolithic research in the area adjacent to the Balkans. In this lecture we focus on the architectural remains and furniture of the so-called sanctuaries discovered in east-central and south-east Europe (e.g. Vszt-Mgor, Hdmezvsrhely-Gorzsa, Para, Jakovo-Kormadin, Cscioarele) and we attempt to their ritual interpretation.

Zrinka Premui (Institute for Anthropological Research, Zagreb)Unusual Cremation Burials from the Late Bronze Age Site of Poljana Krievaka, Croatia: Anthropological Perspective

The Late Bronze Age cemetery of Poljana Krievaka 2 is situated in continental Croatia. The use of cemetery, containing 50 cremation graves, is dated to the 13th and 12th century BC. The standard burial rite was placing the cremated remains in pots used as urns and covering them with bowls used as lids. However, five of the graves have a distinctly different ritual, with the remains deposited directly on the bottom of the grave pit and covered with a bowl turned upside down. Anthropological analysis of human skeletal remains will provide additional information that could explain differences in the burial ritual for these individuals. Data on age and sex of the deceased, as well as pathological changes, will be collected. Additionally, information about the funeral pyre will be assembled: temperature of firing, positioning of the body, collection and deposition of the remains. Comparison with other, standard burials, will define possible specific characteristics causing different burial ritual for some members of this community.

Petya Georgieva (Department of archaeology, University of Sofia, Sofia), Veselin Danov (Department of archaeology, University of Sofia, Sofia)On Some Aspects of Eneolithic Burial Rituals

Pits without skeletons are found within the limits of the necropolises of the Varna and Kodjadermen-Gumelnita-Karanovo VI cultures. Some of these pits contain whole objects resembling grave inventory and are interpreted most often as cenotaphs. Others are nearly empty, with a little ash, a few charcoals, animal bones, and ceramic fragments at the bottom or in the filler.

Several such pits were explored within the Eneolithic necropolis at Kozareva Mogila (near Kableshkovo, Burgas Region, Bulgaria). Along the periphery of one of them, clear traces of stake holes surrounding it were documented. There are a few ceramic fragments, animal bones, and little charcoals in the fillers of these holes. Fragments of grate-like hollow ceramic objects with shapes close to truncated cones, probably used as the upper parts of fumigating devices, are frequently found. The present paper considers the possibilities of interpreting the pits without skeletons as facilities related to a stage of the funeral rites which precedes burial. The inventories of most graves contain large dishes made especially for the burial. They are excellently shaped and ornamented, but were apparently baked at lower temperature than their analogues in the settlement. Making them required 5-8 days of total elapsed time.

Sineva Kuko (Departement of Archaeology, University of Zadar, Zadar), Martina elhar (Departement of Archaeology, University of Zadar, Zadar)Funerary Architecture in the Liburnian Culture: Construction form - function/symbolics

Architecture of a necropolis is analyzed as well as related category of spatiality in the Liburnian cult of the dead. Specifically construction, form and function (symbolics: social, religious) of a grave as

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elementary architectural funerary form are analyzed as well as spatiality of a Liburnian necropolis. Spatiality, relation between outer and inner funerary area is particularly complex issue regarding mounds with one or several burials. Alongside Liburnian mounds, problems of flat cemeteries as the other basic Liburnian architectural funerary structure are analyzed as well.

Relevant problems are explained on the basis of existing Liburnian archaeological repertory as well as with consideration of new excavations of the Liburnian cemeteries, particularly the one excavated in Nadin (Liburnian Nedinum) near Zadar.

Problems are interpreted in the entirety of the Liburnian culture during the 1st millennium BC, but also comparatively in the corresponding Adriatic cultural context, particularly in the last centuries of the 1st millennium BC, during architectural systematization of the necropolis, in historical framework of Hellenization (urbanization) to a certain degree and finally systematic Romanization of the eastern Adriatic circle.

SESSION 10

Tomasz Gralak (Institute of Archaeology, University of Wroclaw, Wroclaw)From Greece Through the Balkans to Central Europe - Wandering of Ideas in the Early Iron Age

To the areas of Greece during the Geometric Period arrives a wave of Middle East influence, which brings a cultural package containing a modular way of the world perception. It is assumed that these times are largely characterized by works of Homer. These texts were divided into repeating length units (the hexameter). This method of composition corresponds to pottery decoration, which consisted of repeating motifs (triangles, squares). Of repeating elements were also constructed everyday items such as pins, brooches etc. Representations of humans and animals were composed of triangles as well. The Greek construction also used repetitive modules, as indicated by Vitruvius.

Analogous cultural elements become perceptible during the Hallstatt Period in Central Europe. Painted pottery decorated with geometric patterns in a modular system appears. In a similar manner were visualized human and animal figures. Everyday items were also constructed of repeating elements. Settlements designed in a modular way appeared. Interestingly, some of them resembled those described by Homer. There are also known buildings constructed in a modular manner. This raises the question how these ideas reached the north through the Balkans?

Vlad Crbii (Institute of Archaeology, Bucharest)Considerations On the Second Iron Age Habitation Between the Middle Carpathians, the Danube and the Olt River (4th century BC - 1st century AD).

The aim of this paper is an overview of the settlements belonging to both periods of the second Iron Age (5th/4th century BC - 3rd century BC; 2nd century BC - the roman conquest of Dacia in 106 AD) in the territory corresponding to present-day Oltenia, in south-western Romania. Based on the current stage of the research, the author explores the main problems regarding the second Iron Age habitation, such as the placement of the settlements, classification, their morphological characteristics and their role and function, as well as the main theoretical debates and interpretations regarding the matter.

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Milica Tapaviki-Ili (Archaeological Institute, Belgrade), Ljubia Vasiljevi (National Museum of Krusevac, Krusevac), Sanja Ruti (National Museum of Krusevac, Krusevac)Iron Age Pottery from Ukosa, Kruevac District

Upon the meeting point of the rivers West Morava and South Morava lies the medieval tower of Stala. About one kilometer to the south of this legendary tower, another site was discovered Ukosa. The excavations of this site started in 2009, conducted by the experts from the National Museum in Kruevac. They attested that this site was inhabited for almost two millennia the earliest being the Iron Age, attested with pottery discovered in 2012 in one of the pits.

Archaeologists presume that during the Early Iron Age, the first fortification was erected in this area. It is known that the Celtic arrival to the Balkans changed the course of history, but Celtic material is still only rarely discovered at the sites of southern Serbia. Therefore, discoveries like the pottery from Ukosa, bear special importance and shed light at the possible routes and areas the early Celts at the Balkans travelled and inhabited.

Ivan Vrani (Archaeological Institute, Belgrade), Jovan Mitrovi (National Museum of Serbia, Belgrade)Archaeological site Kale in Krevica (Southeastern Serbia): a Question of Changing Settlement Patterns and Roles of Greek Material Culture in the IV and III Centuries BC Iron Age Communities

Systematic excavations of the site of Kale in the village of Krevica which began in 2001 have revealed structures like ashlar and mud brick walls, a barrel-vaulted water reservoir, accompanied with north-Aegean transport amphorae, Attic Red-figure, St. Valentin and Black-glazed vases, or locally produced Hellenised grey ware. These finds, however typical for southern regions of the Balkan Peninsula, are unexpected and unique in the Iron Age landscape of modern-day Serbia, providing the archeological community with a possibility to explore social aspects of the new settlement patterns emerging in the early fourth century BC in the southeastern corner of the country.

Considering its material culture and supposed social context, this fortified hill top fortification belongs to a loosely defined group of pre-Roman Hellenised settlements: numerous clusters of sites in Southeastern Europe featuring similar Greek or Greek-like appearances. These Iron Age settlements show many common characteristics and formal analogies with the Mediterranean World. Their locations so far away from the sea, architecture and other forms of material culture reveal various opportunities for interpreting the local Iron Age identity constructions, possible colonial encounters with ancient Macedonia and the active role of Mediterranean material culture in the continental Iron Age communities.

Marius Cristian Basceanu (Museum of Oltenia, Craiova)The Early Iron Age Basarabi-type Tumuli from Desa (Dolj county, Romania) - Research Results (2001-2014)

The village of Desa, Dolj County, is situated in the floodplain of the Danube, about 21 km southeast of Calafat and approx. 12 km of the Danube, in SW Oltenia province. Since 2001, the Oltenia Museum from Craiova is organising annually, on the Danube bank, sistematic excavations in the sites Castravia and La Ruptur, located between the river km 765 and 768, at cca. 7-7,5 km SW to the village.

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On the sandhill Castravia were identified and excavated, between 2001-2014, 6 Basarabi-type tumuli from the Early Iron Age, as it follows: T1 - 2002; T2 - 2002 and 2007; T3 - 2003 and 2004; T4,T5,T6 2014. Due to the annual flooding of the river Danube, T2, T5 and T6 were partially destroyed.

In these tumuli were identified 29 inhumation graves, in wich the bodies were extended on their backs (dorsal decubitus), with a funerary inventory consisting of pottery vessels, iron spearheads, curved knives, an iron sword with a T-shaped handle; calotte-shaped bronze buttons, simple or multi-spiral bronze bracelets etc.; moreover, the results of the anthropological analyzes on bone remains recovered from the 10 tombs of T1 showed that they belonged to 19 individuals.

Nikos Chausidis (Department of archaeology, University of Skopje, Skopje)The Iconography, Symbolism and Religious Use of Iron Age Cluster Pendants as Part of the Group of Macedonian Bronzes

The paper considers pendants with an elongated vertical body, disjoined by rows of button-like protrusions on all four sides. The stylized seated human figure or the jug with a vertical handle is applied on their top. Among archaeologists, these objects are referred to as jug-stoppers, rod pendants or Kannenverschlusses. After several unsuccessful attempts to interpret them, they are currently regarded as pendants worn by women attached to their belts, hips or thighs as suggested by the several in situ contexts of finds within graves. Due to the comparison with other objects and images among Balkan, Mediterranean and Indo-European cultures, we propose that they represent the World Tree identified with the Macrocosmic Phallus. Represented on the top is a male mythical character in the fetal position, which is typical for the prehistoric and classical male gods, associated with death and resurrection. The comparisons indicate that the disjoined pendant body represented a plant known as the poke root (Phytolacca decandra) which functioned as a cure for particular diseases or as a vitality and fertility stimulator among ancient cultures and even today in Macedonia and the Balkans in general. In the past and today, the vivid red juice of this plant was used for coloring alcoholic drinks, bodies and textiles, mostly for magical purposes as an equivalent for blood i.e. red color as a symbol of life. The comparisons with recent folklore indicate that reel-like segments of these pendants could be used for coiling thread. If colored with the plant juice the threads and pendants were probably employed to transfer the life-giving aspects of the plant onto those wearing these ornaments.

SESSION 11

Jamieson C. Donati (Institute for Mediterranean Studies FORTH, Rethymno), Apostolos Sarris (Institute for Mediterranean Studies FORTH, Rethymno), Gianluca Cantoro (Institute for Mediterranean Studies FORTH, Rethymno), Carmen Cuenca-Garca (Institute for Mediterranean Studies FORTH, Rethymno), Tuna Kalayc (Institute for Mediterranean Studies FORTH, Rethymno), Meropi Manataki (Institute for Mediterranean Studies FORTH, Rethymno), Franois-Xavier (Simon Maison des Sciences de lHomme, Rennes), Konstantinos Vouzaxakis (13th Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities, Rethymno)Results of the IGEAN Project 2013-2014: An Integrated Geophysical Survey Campaign at Neolithic Settlements in Thessaly (Central Greece)

Prehistoric farming communities first appeared in Europe on an extensive scale in Thessaly (Central Greece) and provided the seeds for a new cultural landscape dependent on animal husbandry,

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cultivation, and permanent built environments. The fertile region contains remarkable evidence of habitation in all phases of the Neolithic period mainly in the form of tell-sites, locally known as magoulas. However, only a limited number of magoulas have been extensively excavated and surveyed, and many are rapidly being damaged by farming activity. Between 2013-2014, an innovative research program called IGEAN (Innovative Geophysical Approaches for the Study of Early Agricultural Villages of Neoli